Keep Calm and Carry On: How WW2 shaped Queen Elizabeth’s strength throughout her reign

Queen Elizabeth II was an apprentice of her father, a man who was never supposed to be king but was coping with the worst crisis in British history — the Second World War.

British author and documentary filmmaker Robert Hardman believes the Second World War and the abdication of her uncle, King Edward, played an integral role in shaping Her Majesty’s ability to endure through hardship and commit to royal duty.

During the war, the young then-Princess Elizabeth was not one to sit back, but rather looked for ways to contribute to the war effort and play her part, from welcoming officers to the Windsor castle for morale to writing to the next of kin of deceased soldiers. Today, she is the only head of state in the world who wore a uniform during the Second World War, and likely the only monarch in history who was able to strip the gearbox of a truck.

Decades after the war, this resilience would persist. Whether it be facing bombs in Northern Island throughout the 70s, being shot at by six blanks during a Trooping the Colour ceremony in the 80s or royal marriages falling apart throughout the 90s, the late monarch has risen to the challenges throughout her reign with calm and grace.

“Batten down the hatches, get through it and the sun will come out eventually,” Hardman said. “That’s her philosophy.”

Global’s Dawna Friesen has more in this exclusive report.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/7944999/queen-elizabeth-ii-legacy-key-moments-reign/

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